towing DODGE DURANGO 2017 3.G Owner's Guide

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing Condi-tion Wheels
OFF the Ground Rear-
Wheel Drive
Models All-Wheel Drive Models With
Single-Speed Transfer Case All-Wheel Drive Models With
Two-Speed Transfer Case
Flat Tow NONE NOT
ALLOWED
NOT ALLOWED•See Instructions
• Transmission in PARK
• Transfer case in NEUTRAL
(N)
• Tow in forward direction
Dolly Tow Front NOT
ALLOWED
NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALL OK OKOK
NOTE: When towing your vehicle, always follow appli-
cable state and provincial laws. Contact state and provin-
cial Highway Safety offices for additional details.
Recreational Towing — Rear-Wheel Drive Models
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain
will result. Recreational towing (for two-wheel drive models) is al-
lowed
ONLY if the rear wheels are OFFthe ground. This
may be accomplished using a tow dolly or vehicle trailer. If
using a tow dolly, follow this procedure:
1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the tow dolly.
466 STARTING AND OPERATING

3. Firmly apply the parking brake. Shift the transmissioninto PARK.
4. Turn the ignition to the OFF mode.
5. Properly secure the rear wheels to the dolly, following the dolly manufacturer ’s instructions.
6. Install a suitable clamping device, designed for towing, to secure the front wheels in the straight position.
CAUTION!
Towing with the rear wheels on the ground will cause
severe transmission damage. Damage from improper
towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Recreational Towing — All-Wheel Drive Models
(Single-Speed Transfer Case)
Recreational towing is not allowed. These models do not
have a NEUTRAL (N) position in the transfer case.
NOTE: This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or vehicle
trailer provided all four wheels are OFFthe ground.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 467

Recreational Towing — All-Wheel Drive Models
(Two-Speed Transfer Case)
The transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL (N) and
the transmission must be in PARK for recreational towing.
The NEUTRAL (N) selection button is adjacent to the
transfer case selector switch. Shifts into and out of transfer
case NEUTRAL (N) can take place with the selector switch
in any mode position.
CAUTION!
•DO NOT dolly tow any AWD vehicle. Towing with
only one set of wheels on the ground (front or rear)
will cause severe transmission and/or transfer case
damage. Tow with all four wheels either ON the
ground, or OFF the ground (using a vehicle trailer).
• Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this
vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the
transfer case.
• The transmission must be in PARK for recreational
towing.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Before recreational towing, perform the procedure
outlined under “Shifting Into NEUTRAL(N)” to be
certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL
(N). Otherwise, internal damage will result.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
• Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar on
your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.
Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the NEU-
TRAL (N) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N) posi-
tion disengages both the front and rear driveshafts
from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to roll,
even if the transmission is in PARK. The parking brake
should always be applied when the driver is not in the
vehicle.
468 STARTING AND OPERATING

Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing:
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that the
transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N) before recreational
towing to prevent damage to internal parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, with the enginerunning.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
4. Using a ballpoint pen or similar object, push and hold the recessed transfer case NEUTRAL (N) button (located
by the selector switch) for four seconds. The light
behind the N symbol will blink, indicating shift in
progress. The light will stop blinking (stay on solid)
when the shift to NEUTRAL (N) is complete. A “FOUR
WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM IN NEUTRAL” message will
appear in the instrument cluster display. Refer to “In-
strument Cluster” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information. 5. After the shift is completed and the NEUTRAL (N) light
stays on, release the NEUTRAL (N) button.
6. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
7. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
8. Shift the transmission back into NEUTRAL.
9. Firmly apply the parking brake.
10. With the transmission and transfer case in NEUTRAL, push and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button until
NEUTRAL (N) Switch
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STARTING AND OPERATING 469

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS ............474
 IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS .............474

WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . . .475
▫ Torque Specifications ....................475
 JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING ...........476
▫ Jack Location ........................ .477
▫ Spare Tire Stowage .....................477
▫ Spare Tire Removal .....................478
▫ Preparations For Jacking .................480
▫ Jacking Instructions .....................481
▫ Road Tire Installation ...................487
 CAP-LESS FUEL FILL FUNNEL .............487
JUMP-STARTING ....................... .488
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ...............488
▫ Jump-Starting Procedure ..................489
 FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE ..............491
 EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED . . .492
 MANUAL PARK RELEASE .................493
 TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ............496
▫ Rear Wheel Drive Models ................498
▫ All-Wheel Drive Models ..................498
 ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS) .............................. .499
 EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) ............4996

CAUTION!
•Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead
to transmission overheating and failure. Allow the
engine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL
for at least one minute after every five rocking-
motion cycles. This will minimize overheating and
reduce the risk of transmission failure during pro-
longed efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between
DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the wheels faster
than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It
can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no transmis-
sion shifting occurring).
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED
If your vehicle is equipped with tow hooks, there will be
one in the rear and two mounted on the front of the vehicle.
The rear hook will be located on the driver’s side of the
vehicle. NOTE:
For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use
both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of damage
to the vehicle.
WARNING!
• Do not use a chain for freeing a stuck vehicle. Chains
may break, causing serious injury or death.
• Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow hooks.
Tow straps may become disengaged, causing serious
injury.
CAUTION!
Tow hooks are for emergency use only, to rescue a
vehicle stranded off road. Do not use tow hooks for
tow truck hookup or highway towing. You could
damage your vehicle.
492 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service. If the transmis-
sion and drivetrain are operable, disabled vehicles may
also be towed as described under “Recreational Towing” in
the “Starting and Operating” section.
Towing Condition Wheels OFF theGroundRear-Wheel Drive
Models All-Wheel Drive
Models With
Single-Speed
Transfer Case All-Wheel Drive
Models WithTwo-Speed
Transfer Case
Flat Tow NONEIf Transmission Is
Operable:
•Transmission in
NEUTRAL
•
30 mph (48 km/h)
max speed
• 30 miles (48 km)
max distance
NOT ALLOWED See Instructions in
“Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating”
•Transmission in
PARK
• Transfer case in
NEUTRAL (N)
• Tow in forward
direction
496 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Towing Condition Wheels OFF theGroundRear-Wheel Drive
Models All-Wheel Drive
Models With
Single-Speed
Transfer Case All-Wheel Drive
Models WithTwo-Speed
Transfer Case
Wheel Lift or Dolly Tow Front
If Transmission Is
Operable:
•Transmission in
NEUTRAL
•
30 mph (48 km/h)
max speed
• 30 miles (48 km)
max distance
NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD OK BEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for this purpose, following equipment
manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains is man-
datory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to main
structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers or
associated brackets. State and local laws regarding vehicles
under tow must be observed. If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
mode, not the ACC mode.
If the key fob is unavailable or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, refer to “Manual Park Release” in this section
for instructions on shifting the transmission out of PARK
for towing.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 497

CAUTION!
•Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
Vehicle damage may occur.
• When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do not
attach to front or rear suspension components. Dam-
age to your vehicle may result from improper towing.
Rear Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFFthe ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmission
is operable, the vehicle may be towed (with rear wheels on
the ground) under the following conditions:
• The transmission must be in NEUTRAL. Refer to
Manual Park Release in this section for instructions on
shifting the transmission to NEUTRAL when the engine
is off.
• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• The towing distance must not exceed 30 miles (48 km).
CAUTION!
Towing faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than
30 miles (48 km) with rear wheels on the ground can
cause severe transmission damage. Damage from im-
proper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 30
miles (48 km), tow with the rear wheels OFFthe ground.
Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle on a flatbed, or
with the front wheels raised and the rear wheels on a
towing dolly, or (when using a suitable steering wheel
stabilizer to hold the front wheels in the straight position)
with the rear wheels raised and the front wheels on the
ground.
All-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFF the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle
on a flatbed or with one end of the vehicle raised and the
opposite end on a towing dolly.
498 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transfer case
is operable, vehicleswith a two-speed transfer case may
be towed (in the forward direction, with ALLwheels on the
ground), IFthe transfer case is in NEUTRAL (N) and the
transmission is in PARK. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in
“Starting and Operating” for detailed instructions.
Vehicles equipped with a single-speed transfer case have
no NEUTRAL position, and therefore mustbe towed will
all four wheels OFFthe ground.
CAUTION!
•Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used. Internal
damage to the transmission or transfer case will occur
if a front or rear wheel lift is used when towing.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS)
This vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced Accident Response
System.
Please refer to “Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) — Air
Bags” in “Occupant Restraints” in the Owner ’s Manual on
the DVD for further information on the Enhanced Accident
Response System (EARS) function.
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Recorder
(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain
crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist
in understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed.
Please refer to “Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) — Air
Bags” in “Occupant Restraints” in the Owner’s Manual on
the DVD for further information on the Event Data Recorder
(EDR).
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 499